Chapter 88 She didn't want to kiss those unfamiliar hands again...
Xue Lanyi didn't want to tell him about the suffering she had endured. She only asked him, "Were you fighting for it yourself? You were trading other people's lives for it!"
"Whose fate? Xie Qingyun's or Lu Lin's?"
Mu Qinghong shook her head. "Didn't they commit suicide? Who took their lives?"
"And then there's Xuan-ge and A-jie. They clearly had better options. He continued to be his general, while A-jie lived a peaceful life as the Duchess, a woman above all others."
"Others would kill for such a good life, yet you chose it! You've driven yourselves into a corner! How can you blame others?"
Mu Qinghong became more and more excited as she spoke.
Finally, his eyes lost all their clarity and brightness, revealing only naked scheming and resentment.
Years have passed, times have changed, and the world has changed.
He is no longer the innocent boy he once was.
Or perhaps, this is his true nature; he is a cowardly, spineless man with no moral compass.
Xue Lanyi didn't want to say anything more to him, so she stood up and said, "Go away. I have nothing to say to a selfish person like you."
Everyone has their own ambitions. Xue Lanyi couldn't persuade him, nor did she want to listen to his undignified words.
She lifted the curtain and went into the inner room, no longer looking at him.
The room was dark, and the beaded curtain on the lattice door swayed gently, with luminous pearls hanging below, their glow shimmering like water.
The room was filled with the finest calming incense, which could burn a hundred taels of silver in a single day.
Even the brocade cloak she wore was a tribute item only available in the palace, enough for Mu Qinghong and Yue Niang to live on for a year.
She lived such a luxurious life, so what right did she have to persuade him to accept his fate?
Mu Qinghong found it utterly ridiculous, a huge joke.
He glared angrily at Xue Lanyi's retreating figure, "The most selfish person is actually my elder sister!"
Xue Lanyi had already gone into the inner room, ignoring him and not stopping.
Mu Qinghong could see the disdain she had for him.
Anyone can despise him, anyone can kick him while he's down.
Because he had no power or influence.
Even his so-called blood-related sister was nothing special; she never put herself in his shoes or considered things from his perspective.
She didn't even stand in Wei Xuan's shoes or consider the feelings of her so-called beloved.
She only thinks of herself.
Only love yourself.
"While enjoying the luxurious life that the Duke of Wei has given you, you also want Xuan Ge to give up his promising future and lifelong ambitions to be with you through thick and thin. Aren't you being selfish?"
"Was it my choice?" Xue Lanyi suddenly turned around.
An invisible force was pressing down on her, making it difficult for her to breathe. She was panting and looked at Mu Qinghong through the beaded curtain.
This time, Mu Qinghong did not avoid her gaze, nor did she feel guilty or remorseful.
He said, word by word, "Regardless of whether my sister was acting voluntarily or not, you are the one who caused this situation!"
Indeed, Wei Zhang was ruthless; with a flick of his finger, he could trap them all under the Five Finger Mountain.
He was wicked, domineering, and tyrannical, taking what others loved and using the emperor to command the feudal lords.
But what can we do?
The reality is that the strong prey on the weak.
They are as insignificant as ants, and instead of adapting to the times, they try to force their way out by acting like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
Are you trying to bore ant holes in a thousand-mile-long dike?
It should be understood that when a dam collapses, the first to be swept away and crushed are still the ants.
Six years of living without dignity had made Mu Qinghong realize that nothing—no backbone, no dignity, no friendship—was as important as the power and wealth she had gained.
Only those who possess power and wealth are qualified to talk about dignity.
“If my elder sister is willing to stay by the Duke of Wei’s side, I can continue to be my crown prince, and Xuan-ge can continue to be his great general. Wouldn’t it be better to be a traitor for the rest of my life and be criticized by future generations?”
"Didn't my sister always say that she loved Xuan-ge's image of riding a white horse with a silver saddle, as swift as a shooting star?"
"Or are you saying that Sister's life is life, but Brother Xuan's life isn't?"
The questions echoed tremulously.
Suddenly, an image of a young man in red galloping across the battlefield, unrestrained and free, appeared in Xue Lanyi's mind.
The scene shifts, and he reappears with silver hair, falling to the ground.
The general broke his sword and couldn't even protect his bride.
If he were still the same person who had dominated the battlefield, he shouldn't have been defeated by Wei Zhang in one move.
Xue Lanyi's expression froze for a moment, her hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched tightly.
Seeing the situation, Mu Qinghong grabbed the book "Biography of General Crossing the Liao River and Princess Zhaoyang" from the couch, knelt down and entered the room, presenting the biography to Xue Lanyi.
"Sister, have you read the biography of General Guo Liao? Do you know that the Western Expeditionary Army suffered 78,000 casualties in the siege of Gaochang and the burning of the bridge?"
"Does Sister know that while half of Xuan-ge's achievements are due to his own efforts, the other half are attributable to the lives of these 78,000 people?"
"If Sister insists on dragging Xuan Ge to his death, Xuan Ge and the Western Expeditionary Army will never have a chance to redeem themselves. All 78,000 lives will become epitaphs for what Sister calls personal feelings between lovers!"
The last three words struck Xue Lanyi's heart.
Xue Lanyi staggered half a step, her heart trembling.
She knew that Mu Qinghong's remarks were merely an attempt to curry favor with Wei Zhang and pave the way for his own future.
However, not everything he said was entirely without reason.
Xue Lanyi lowered her eyes to look at the biography in her mind's eye.
The bright moonlight streaming in through the window cast a soft, round halo that shone perfectly on the four characters "General Who Crossed the Liao River".
She stared intently, and as she stared, her eyes began to sting.
The relative importance of each end of the scale is obvious, and the choice is clear.
But what about herself?
Doesn't her feelings matter?
It wasn't just his love for Wei Xuan, but also his friendship with Lu Lin and Xie Qingyun.
How could she lie next to the murderer every night, pretending to be deeply in love?
Xue Lanyi's throat tightened, "You want me... to stay with the murderers who killed Lu Lin and Xie Qingyun for a long, long time?"
"Sister, you're so smart, don't you understand? Duke Wei never intended to kill Lu and Xie. He meant it when he said he would treat their illnesses in Peach Blossom Valley!"
Xue Lanyi stared blankly at Mu Qinghong.
Mu Qinghong nodded firmly.
Wei Zhang intended to support him in ascending to the throne.
Since he is to ascend the throne, the first step is naturally to wash away the stigma of being a traitor.
If the goal is to exonerate the former princelings, why would they massacre their members?
At first, Mu Qinghong also found Wei Zhang's actions unbelievable.
If Wei Zhang wanted to support a new person to ascend the throne, there were plenty of imperial relatives to choose from. He had no need to first exonerate the Crown Prince's faction before supporting Mu Qinghong.
This is a method of going the long way around instead of the nearby one.
Mu Qinghong harbored doubts, so he eavesdropped on the ministers over the past two days and, through snippets of conversation, confirmed that Wei Zhang truly intended to clear the name of the former Crown Prince's faction.
"Sister, it's true! Me, Lu Lin, Xie Qingyun... and countless other colleagues who were branded as traitors because of the reform are about to see the dawn!"
"Not only them, but their entire families will also see the light of day again!"
"No one else can do this, only Wei Zhang can help us!"
He grabbed Xue Lanyi's hem and knelt down to approach her.
Xue Lanyi was pushed backward by an invisible wave.
She was already Wei Xuan's wife.
She didn't want to kiss those unfamiliar lips again, nor did she want to hug that unfamiliar body again.
She hated Wei Zhang and didn't want any ambiguous entanglement with him.
She retreated step by step.
Mu Qinghong gripped the hem of her skirt and stepped forward, her gaze fixed intently on her. "Sister, over the years, so many capable and extraordinary people have tried to clear our names, but all have failed and lost their lives. Now... now, as long as you serve the Duke of Wei well, everything will be resolved!"
Upon hearing those two jarring words, Xue Lanyi stopped in her tracks and looked at Mu Qinghong with suspicion. "These words... were they spoken by Wei Zhang? Did Wei Zhang send you here as an intermediary?"
Does it matter?
Was this important to Xue Lanyi, a woman who had worked in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution)?
Instead of answering, Mu Qinghong asked, "What kind of men haven't you seen in the brothel, sister? At least the Duke of Wei is young, promising, and strong. Serving him is better than serving those old, dissolute men. You won't lose out, sister..."
"Mu Qinghong!"
Xue Lanyi looked down into those round and bright eyes, and could hardly believe that the words spoken by the well-read Crown Prince could come out of his mouth.
Or perhaps, the original words were taught by Wei Zhang?
She felt both resentment and hatred.
"Get out."
She didn't want to hear their vile words anymore, and pointed to the door, "Tell Wei Zhang that I'd rather die than beg him again..."
"Why are you so stubborn, sister? If you really want to die, then go die by yourself! Why drag others down with you?!"
In the heat of the moment, Mu Qinghong roared out in anger.
As soon as he finished speaking, all around fell silent.
Mu Qinghong realized he had spoken without thinking, and he shook his head repeatedly, "Sister, sister, that's not what I meant, I didn't want you to die."
"Now is the crucial time to clear your colleagues' names, and Xuan-ge is nowhere to be found. You should at least try to appease the Duke of Wei, and wait until everything settles down before you..."
What else?
Mu Qinghong couldn't say it.
After Wei Zhang installed the new emperor on the throne, his power would inevitably be even greater.
What else could Xue Lanyi do?
She should die when everyone is back in their place and she has no value anymore, right?
He's such a good brother to her.
Xue Lanyi gave a bitter smile, "Get out."
Mu Qinghong knew that Xue Lanyi hated him, but he could also clearly see that her eyes were slightly stagnant and rippled.
She was actually considering Mu Qinghong's words.
Regardless, Mu Qinghong had to first calm Xue Lanyi down.
Whether she lives or dies, at least we must ensure that she doesn't cause trouble or anger Wei Zhang before he ascends the throne.
He knelt forward repeatedly, then took another step closer and opened his mouth.
"Get out." Xue Lanyi knew what he was going to say.
"sister……"
"If you don't leave, I'll call Wei Zhang over so we can talk things out face to face."
"elder sister……"
Upon hearing the name "Wei Zhang," Mu Qinghong felt as if she were facing a formidable enemy. Her words caught in her throat, but her hand remained gripping Xue Lanyi's skirt like a leech.
Xue Lanyi's eyes suddenly turned cold, and she looked towards the door.
Mu Qinghong quickly let go of her hand and stood up. "Sister, I'm going out, I'm going out. You think it over carefully, think it over carefully again."
"Don't...don't disturb the Duke of Wei..."
Mu Qinghong's voice grew softer and softer.
It scurried away like a headless fly, only to crash headfirst into the door frame.
My head was buzzing, and the pain cleared my mind a little.
He heard heavy breathing behind him.
His words just now probably really hurt Xue Lanyi.
He stood rooted to the spot, distant memories creeping into the pain on his forehead.
He suddenly remembered a time when he was a child, he fell while climbing a tree and bumped his head. He didn't dare let his father and mother know, so he went to find his older sister while crying.
His older sister stood by the window applying medicine to him.
Sunlight streamed in through the window.
He looked up at his older sister; the sunlight was warm, and her hands were soft.
He smiled at her and said, "After I ascend the throne, I will build the most magnificent golden palace in the palace. After that, my elder sister will live with me in the palace, okay?"
"If you don't marry the Empress, will I not get married?" Xue Lanyi scolded him.
He hugged Xue Lanyi's waist and said coquettishly, "I don't want to marry her, I just want to be with my sister forever."
The innocent words of children still echo in my ears.
Mu Qinghong's eyes stung with tears, and she turned back to look at Xue Lanyi.
At that moment, Xue Lanyi was numbly moving towards the bed, her hands drooping listlessly at her sides, clutching a tattered wedding dress.
The wedding dress trailed on the ground, its bright red color obscuring any vitality it should possess.
"Sister."
Mu Qinghong called her softly.
Perhaps it was the gentle night breeze, but the sound coming from the doorway had regained its former clarity.
Mu Qinghong sniffed, "Sister, try to be more understanding. If you end up like your aunt, we will..."
Mu Qinghong paused, then changed her words, saying, "Xuan-ge will suffer for the rest of his life, but those who are still alive will suffer even more."
On a night with a bright full moon, a figure suddenly fell from the Star-Picking Tower and unexpectedly came into Xue Lanyi's sight.
Her heart ached. Even after so many years, the memory of her mother falling from the building still tore her apart.
"Even if we live in peace at the ends of the earth, it's not necessarily a bad outcome," Mu Qinghong said.
After that, he stopped talking and quietly closed the door.
The room, dimly lit by moonlight, was completely silent.
Arguments are like waves, surging when they come and disappearing silently.
Xue Lanyi stood alone, raised her arm and looked at the red mark in her palm, softly calling out "Mother".
His voice was filled with hesitation and helplessness.
She was lost and didn't know which way to go...
Separated by a single door, Mu Qinghong stared at the closed door for a long time.
I could faintly hear a sob.
He vowed to protect his older sister when he was a child.
But there was nothing he could do; his strength was too weak, and he had someone else he wanted to protect.
"I'm sorry," he whispered barely.
A night breeze swept by, carrying rustling sounds, drowning out the three words he was saying.
In the distance, the sound grew clearer and clearer.
The faint cries for help pulled Mu Qinghong back to reality.
He looked toward the other side of the Vase Gate, following the sound.
That was the backyard of the Duke's ancestral hall, where several dark shadows could be vaguely seen in the moonlight.
Mu Qinghong now had to pay extra attention to everything in the Duke's mansion, so she squinted and quietly walked towards that place.
I crouched behind an old tree and took a closer look.
A strong man was being held on a torture bench, his limbs bound with hemp rope.
The military baton struck his back again and again, each blow landing solidly on his waist.
Blood dripped down the wooden bench, bending the lush green grass on the ground.
"Lord Shadow Seven, I was wrong! I failed in my duty! I beg you, Lord Shadow Seven, spare my life! Please... Ah!"
A heart-wrenching scream was barely escaping his throat when a hand from the darkness covered his mouth.
"Keep your voice down. If you startle the important people in the front yard, I won't let you off the hook." Yingqi covered her mouth even tighter.
The person being tortured was unable to cry out in pain; their face was pale and their pupils were bloodshot.
Immediately afterwards, the sound of military batons striking bones was like a storm.
The man's cries of pain were all choked in his throat, muffled and gradually faded away.
Mu Qinghong, however, recognized the burly man being punished as the guard who had just interrupted him from killing the red-scaled fish.
It must be because the red-scaled fish died that Wei Zhang was furious and punished the guard.
Why would a fish do this?
The Duke of Wei is too cruel!
Just as Mu Qinghong was lamenting, several more torture benches were moved into the backyard.
A line of guards were brought before the authorities.
These people are probably the guards on night watch; if one of them makes a mistake, everyone will be implicated.
Nobody's getting away!
Mu Qinghong felt a chill run down her spine and retreated repeatedly.
In truth, the death of the Redscaled Fish today was indeed due to the negligence and dereliction of duty of those night watch guards.
If the guards hadn't been so inattentive and hadn't reminded Mu Qinghong earlier, how could he have killed the fish in his delirium?
Fortunately, it was just a fish. If someone else had poisoned it in the kitchen someday, wouldn't they have been unaware of it by then?
Therefore, they had no one to blame but themselves for being beaten to death or maimed.
He has no one to blame but himself.
"If you have to blame someone, blame your ruthless master."
Mu Qinghong's thoughts were in disarray, and her steps became erratic.
My foot tripped over something in the grass.
He stumbled, grabbed the stone table beside him for support, and stared intently at it.
There was a bloody finger under my feet.
The finger bones were pale and stiff, but the blood was bright red, as if the fingers had just been chopped off.
"ah!"
Mu Qinghong gasped, but before she could utter a sound of surprise, she saw a pair of gold-embroidered official boots next to the severed finger.
That familiar shade of black.
Mu Qinghong's pupils contracted slightly, and her gaze slowly moved upward, where she saw Wei Zhang sitting upright on a stone bench under a tree with his knees slightly apart.
In the darkness, the man, clad in a dark cloak, remained silent, blending seamlessly into the night.
Holding a red-scaled fish in a handkerchief in one hand, and casually wiping the fish's body with a cotton ball in the other.
The man's shoulders were covered in frost. Clearly, when Mu Qinghong was secretly watching what was happening at the Duke's mansion, Wei Zhang had been sitting silently just a step away from him.
A chill of fear crept in a moment too late, and Mu Qinghong felt a chill run down her spine, her throat stiffening. "Sister, brother-in-law, why aren't you asleep yet so late?"
Wei Zhang ignored him, first wiping away the bloodstains from the fish, and then applying wound medicine to the fish with a small brush.
The movements of the fingertips were extremely gentle and delicate, without any hint of hostility.
His hands were long and fair, as pure and holy as the hands of Guanyin holding a vase.
Looking at these hands alone, it's hard to believe that the owner of these hands would order someone to be beaten to death with sticks.
Mu Qinghong paused for a few moments to calm herself down before she could see that the red-scaled fish's belly was stretched and cracked, and it was writhing.
Fortunately, he is still alive.
Mu Qinghong forced a smile. "I... I just went to check on my sister. She put the fish tank in the kitchen. Who was so bold as to hurt the fish like that?"
His clear voice naturally carried a youthful innocence.
Wei Zhang didn't even look up, but took a silver-handled brush and combed the scales of the red-scaled fish.
No wonder the fish scales were so shiny; it turned out that Wei Zhang had carefully tended to each and every one of them.
He really cherished those two fish.
Mu Qinghong's breathing became increasingly labored, as if a wad of cotton was stuck in her throat, and she was about to suffocate.
If the guards fail to perform their duties, they will be subject to such severe punishment.
If Wei Zhang knew that he almost killed the fish...
Mu Qinghong dared not think any further.
He's already come this far; he absolutely can't let two worthless fish ruin things.
He steeled himself and said, "I was a little late having soup with my sister. Could it be that... could it be that Granny Liu in the kitchen got drunk and confused, and hurt the fish?"
These words made Wei Zhang raise his head, glance at him lightly, as if deep in thought.
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Author's Note: I just realized that I mistakenly scheduled the 10 PM chapter for midnight instead of the scheduled 10 PM chapter on the 14th. Oh well, I'll just make the best of a bad situation and add these two more chapters. See you tomorrow at 10 PM! [Applause]
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